Page 105 of Under the Laird’s Promise

Shock rippled through the room. No one spoke.

Tavish straightened, his gaze sweeping across every face. "So here's what's going tae happen. MacBain warriors will arrive. They'll be quartered, fed, and given whatever support they require. They'll patrol the borders, reinforce the gates, and ensure Keir cannae launch another attack without facing real consequences."

"And if we refuse tae accept them?" Dougal asked quietly.

"Then ye're fools." Tavish's tone went flat, cold. "And I'll have nay choice but tae wonder whose interests ye truly serve. Because from where I stand, anyone opposing protection fer this clan looks suspiciously similar tae someone working against it."

The accusation hung in the air, ugly and undeniable.

Malcolm cleared his throat. "That's a serious charge, MacBain."

"It's a serious situation." Tavish turned toward Maighread, whose expression had shifted from nervous to something fiercer. Prouder. "But I'm done arguing about it. The warriors are coming. They'll serve this clan's needs. And anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me directly."

He moved back to stand behind her chair, his hand finding her shoulder again. This time she reached up, her fingers covering his briefly. The touch said thank ye without words.

"The Council will discuss this privately," Malcolm said after a long pause. "And reach a decision."

"Ye'll reach the right decision," Tavish countered. "Or ye'll answer tae Laird MacEwan when he learns his Council is blocking the protection his daughter desperately needs."

The threat landed exactly as intended. Angus MacEwan, even weakened by illness, still commanded absolute authority. No council member wanted to face his wrath.

"We'll reconvene tomorrow," Maighread said, her voice steady. "Once ye've had time tae consider all aspects. This meeting is adjourned."

The men filed out slowly, casting glances between Tavish and Maighread that ranged from assessing to outright suspicious. When the last one disappeared through the door, silence settled over the chamber.

Maighread stood, moving toward the window. Her shoulders remained rigid, tension radiating from every line of her body.

"That was…" She paused, searching for words. "Intense."

"They needed tae hear it." Tavish crossed to her side. "I'm tired of them treating ye with less respect than ye deserve."

"Ye defended me." Something in her voice made his chest ache. Wonder, maybe. Or disbelief that someone would stand so publicly on her behalf.

"Always." He meant it with every fiber of his being. "I'll defend ye against council members, Sinclair bastards, or anyone else who tries tae diminish what ye are."

She turned then, her grey eyes searching his face. "What I am?"

"Strong. Capable. Worthy of leading this clan." He stepped closer, close enough to see the pulse beating at her throat. "They're blind if they cannae see it."

"Tavish..."

"Come." He caught her hand, threading his fingers through hers. "Let's walk. Before I say something else that gets me thrown out of the castle."

They moved through the corridors in silence, their joined hands the only point of contact. Tavish led them toward the eastern wing, where foot traffic thinned and privacy became possible. A narrow passage opened onto a small courtyard he'd discovered days before, tucked away from the main thoroughfares.

The space was tiny, enclosed by high walls on three sides. But it caught afternoon sunlight beautifully, warming the stones and creating a pocket of peace in the castle's chaos.

Maighread released his hand, moving toward the far wall. She trailed her fingers along the weathered stone, her expression distant.

"What daes it mean now?" she asked quietly. "With yer men arriving?"

"It means Keir will be defeated." Tavish leaned against the opposite wall, giving her space. "It means ye'll be protected properly. It means this constant threat hanging over yer head finally ends."

She nodded slowly, but something in her posture shifted. Closed off.

"And after?" The question came barely above a whisper. "Once the threat is gone?"

Understanding crashed through him, sharp and sudden. She still thought he'd leave. Thought his presence there was temporary, contingent on danger and necessity rather than choice.